Working with fragile items represents a unique challenge – especially when said items also happen to be expensive. Nevertheless, even the most fragile and valuable items out there need to be stored and transported, just like all others.

Which is precisely why anyone working in a warehouse environment where particularly fragile items are present could benefit from occasionally revisiting a few basics. It may come across as rather remedial and obvious advice, but it’s also the kind of advice that can help minimise or even eliminate unnecessary breakages and wastage.

Here’s a quick overview of just a few basic fundamentals for safe and proactive storage and transportation of fragile items:

1. Generally speaking, it is advisable to coordinate warehouses and stock rooms in a manner that allows fragile items to be stored at a lower level within easy reach. If you can reduce the chance of damage from falling items, it’s a good place to start.
2. At the same time however, you do not want to position your fragile items anywhere in the warehouse that may be susceptible to impact. This includes both members of the workforce and any machinery and vehicles used around the warehouse at any time. If your fragile items are dangerously exposed, you may want to think about moving them.
3. Consider investing in safety mesh or netting for the back of your shelving units, if only for areas where fragile items are stored. This way, you can eliminate the prospect of any items being pushed off the back when loading or moving items around.
4. If you are packing any fragile items away for extra protection, ensure that they are labelled clearly and make it obvious what’s contained inside.
5. While it may seem like common sense to store all of your fragile and valuable items of stock in one location, it’s worth bearing in mind the ‘all eggs in one basket’ analogy. Specifically, think about what might happen if an accident was to occur with this particular area of the warehouse.  When dealing with fragile and expensive items, it makes far more sense to spread them around than to group them altogether.
6. In addition, always pay close attention to the surrounding environment in which fragile and sensitive items are being stored. This includes things like ensuring there is adequate lighting, keeping walkways free from slip or trip hazards, ensuring your shelving is in the best possible condition and so on.
7. When transporting fragile items around, think carefully as to whether human or machine transportation represents the safest option. Depending on the equipment you use, it could be either.
8. Last but not least, be very careful when it comes to the packing materials you use to protect your most fragile items of stock. The reason being that while it may be tempting to pack as much paper or packing popcorn in there to secure it, the tighter it gets packed, the higher the chance of damage or breakage in the event of impact. Go for a happy medium, instead.

For more information on any aspect of warehouse storage, get in touch with the Monarch Shelving customer service team today.